ALL SEA travel in and out of Davao City’s area of responsibility has been suspended effective 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, as authorities warned of potential tsunami waves impacting coastal areas facing the Pacific Ocean.
The advisory, issued in reference to data from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS-DOST) and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, urges residents and tourists to immediately vacate shorelines.
The suspension of all ship and watercraft trips, regardless of gross tonnage, including those of fisherfolk, was announced in Sea Travel Advisory No. 02.
The measure aims to prevent maritime incidents and ensure public safety amidst the evolving situation.
PHIVOLCS-DOST, based on revised magnitude calculations and tsunami wave models, forecasts tsunami waves of less than one meter in height for coastal areas of the Philippines fronting the Pacific Ocean.
The first waves were expected to arrive between 1:20 p.m. and 2:40 PM PST today, July 30. Authorities cautioned that these initial waves may not be the largest, and tsunami activity could persist for several hours.
“Boat Captains/Operators of small seawater crafts are advised to take precautionary measures and continue to monitor the PHIVOLCS-DOST forecast,” the advisory stated.
Furthermore, the public, including residents and tourists, is strongly advised to “stay away from the coastal areas and refrain from conducting any sea-water related activities to avoid any maritime incident and for the safety of everybody.”
This tsunami advisory follows a powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake that struck off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia, earlier today, prompting warnings across the Pacific. Provinces, including those in the Davao Region, are among those identified by PHIVOLCS as susceptible to these “unusual waves.”
Local authorities are coordinating efforts to ensure the widest possible dissemination of this crucial advisory, emphasizing the importance of public cooperation for everyone’s safety.
The suspension of sea travel will remain in effect until further notice from maritime and disaster response agencies.
